The safest way to stop is 1. Use both front and rear at higher speeds. 2. Transition to rear only at under 5mph. 3. Left foot down first, then right foot. 4. Hold front brake if needed to prevent backward slide. This lets you keep the bike much more stable when stopped for extended periods of time.
Great video. I was lucky enough to learn slow speed maneuvers from a NJ State motor officer about 30 years ago when I learned how to ride. It's amazing how many people don't know what they're doing even though they've been riding for decades.
Motorman really helped me out years ago. My son ha bought a street glide in Santa Rosa we lived about a hundred miles away. My son only had a permit. Ca law can’t take it on freeway. Plus he was just learning to ride. I’d ridden for years but all standards and sport bikes, never anything like a big Harley. I studied the videos he had on handling a big bike. It got me through San Francisco and Bay Area traffic. His videos and instructions are spot on. Also he doesn’t cram too much in each video but just on the the specifics he’s talking about. His instructions are really valuable for street riding
Thank you for the tip!!! I just bought my street glide, coming off of a sports bike, and dropped my motorcycle because of the front brake. I started to develop a fear of stopping my bike because I did not have a proper technique. Thank you, I now have confidence stopping my bike! I wish you had more videos. Your videos are fantastic!
Thank you so much for this. I just completed the motorcycle safety course, never been on a motorcycle before, and I have to admit I was duckwalking just like you said. I'm practicing stopping with just my left foot down, and I was doing it all wrong. I'm getting used to balancing on one leg and just slightly leaning the bike over to the left side just a tad when I stop. This information is gold, and I wanted to thank you, from a new rider.
Although this method does have its perks per say for the physical LOOK of how you stop it’s not to bright. Say it’s getting dark and your coming to a light & stop with one foot out and than your foot slips out cause there is little pebbles and sand under you. You have no other support so your going down. Had it happened first hand man, I recommend two just slow it down with the back brake first but put two feet down for most support.
So far your video's - Backing Up and Stopping - are reinforcing what I am in the middle of doing, getting lower. Bought 08 Road King two weeks ago, too high, though it was low like my Heritage Softail was. I'm 5'6" - going with lower seat, higher sole boots and perhaps HD 12" touring shocks, at the height I sit now, too high to stand flat footed. Great info. will be using.
Theres nothing wrong with putting both legs down as long as your nearly at a standstill when you do it, sometimes when putting one leg down you can monetary catch it on something and is milliseconds your down, with both feet down and placed securely on the ground i feel much more in control and safer.
Good call 👍. Just got new streetglide , first big heavy weight bike, been struggling pulling up with balance , makes sense what you tell, gonna try it, thanks
I have been riding (dirt and street) since 13 i'm now 70 and I stop like that due too hip and knee injury, just don't have the stability for one leg landing and will continue riding two wheels for as long as I can until my body says I have to ride three wheels, until then I suggest if you don't like how I stop don't look.
Some states you have to have both feet down at stop sign and to sit at stop and with just left foot down if for some reason you get a little off balance bike starts leaning to right you might not have time to put right foot down that 800 pound bike going to tip fast once it gets off balance so to come to complete stop both feet down
I use my right foot down, no need for rear brake if you downshift properly, the gearing is slowing you down and providing rear drag. This way you don't have to put your left down and back up to shift into gear or into neutral because my left foot is still up there.. Some lights are so long and the Harley clutch isn't so easy to hold for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes and I just plain don't want to. I see these guy at lights coast all the way to the line then start downshifting while they're stopped then have to bring their foot back up, by then 10 seconds have gone by and everyone is waiting behind them. This technique hasn't failed me in 55 years of riding. Too each their own I guess.
This only applies to one thousand pound couches with wheels. Ride a real motorcycle and stopping is seamless. Or if you live in California, you just coast through the stop sign 😮
You mounted your motorcycle from the wrong side. That's a no-no Doc. Always mount your bike from the kick stand side. This is one of the first lessons we teach novice riders on safety courses.
I always do one foot exactly like you do. Just to risky not having full control of your bike when you might have to move instantly. Milliseconds matter.
ALL RIDERS DONT DO THIS🤝 If there is ANY debris under you when you stop with “one foot” your foot is sliding out and you’re goin down. Stop with two and plant your feet!
If your foot slips it is sliding outwards your bike will fall in that direction. So unless your opposite foot is bolted to the ground it is not holding you or your bike up
Watch the 3:43 point of this video where he's trying to find the left floorboard while moving forward. Dude, you SHOULD NOT be pretending to be a skilled rider. 😅😂😅😂 There is no one "right" way to ride a machine. Those who can do, do, and those who can't, teach. A rider with size 14 boots has completely different balance mechanics than a rider with size 8 boots. Your execution here is laughable.
Brake modulation is a thing. Front brake only when coming to a stop. The rear brake should rarely be used. The same applies for mountain biking btw. I am so thankful I was taught by proper old school riders. Just like a car most of the braking is done with the front. The only time ya need rear brake is for wheelie control. Feel free to comment all you want, no cares given. I've taught novice riders and they went to DMV and passed the test no problem. Never changing my ways. 😎
Sheesh,so what are you going to do give them a ticket? Mind your business if they aren’t breaking any laws. People who ride ride for them not you. Some have medical and or physical issues and they might have to stop that way. Ride for you not them,stay in your lane.
The safest way to stop is
1. Use both front and rear at higher speeds.
2. Transition to rear only at under 5mph.
3. Left foot down first, then right foot.
4. Hold front brake if needed to prevent backward slide.
This lets you keep the bike much more stable when stopped for extended periods of time.
Just came across your channel, Doc. I’m glad I did.
Stay safe always. 🇺🇸
Has to be #1 Harley channel hands down. Thank you - been riding a lot and still learning.
Fantastic videos……and practice I will….returning to bikes after 41 years……thanks for making these excellent sensible videos….
Thank you for posting. I've watched many videos on stopping but yours's was short and sweet and worked for me. Roger
Great video. I was lucky enough to learn slow speed maneuvers from a NJ State motor officer about 30 years ago when I learned how to ride. It's amazing how many people don't know what they're doing even though they've been riding for decades.
Motorman really helped me out years ago. My son ha bought a street glide in Santa Rosa we lived about a hundred miles away. My son only had a permit. Ca law can’t take it on freeway. Plus he was just learning to ride. I’d ridden for years but all standards and sport bikes, never anything like a big Harley. I studied the videos he had on handling a big bike. It got me through San Francisco and Bay Area traffic. His videos and instructions are spot on. Also he doesn’t cram too much in each video but just on the the specifics he’s talking about. His instructions are really valuable for street riding
Thank you for the tip!!! I just bought my street glide, coming off of a sports bike, and dropped my motorcycle because of the front brake. I started to develop a fear of stopping my bike because I did not have a proper technique. Thank you, I now have confidence stopping my bike! I wish you had more videos. Your videos are fantastic!
How can you come from sport bikes and don't have a proper brake technique?
Thank you so much for this. I just completed the motorcycle safety course, never been on a motorcycle before, and I have to admit I was duckwalking just like you said. I'm practicing stopping with just my left foot down, and I was doing it all wrong. I'm getting used to balancing on one leg and just slightly leaning the bike over to the left side just a tad when I stop. This information is gold, and I wanted to thank you, from a new rider.
Although this method does have its perks per say for the physical LOOK of how you stop it’s not to bright. Say it’s getting dark and your coming to a light & stop with one foot out and than your foot slips out cause there is little pebbles and sand under you. You have no other support so your going down. Had it happened first hand man, I recommend two just slow it down with the back brake first but put two feet down for most support.
I put feet down because of hip arthritis. It relieves the pinching pain in my hips.
Great tip, thanka for this video. I listen and practice like you said, Now I can stop my bike the proper way, thanks.
Love your stuff man!
So far your video's - Backing Up and Stopping - are reinforcing what I am in the middle of doing, getting lower. Bought 08 Road King two weeks ago, too high, though it was low like my Heritage Softail was. I'm 5'6" - going with lower seat, higher sole boots and perhaps HD 12" touring shocks, at the height I sit now, too high to stand flat footed. Great info. will be using.
Takes practice to master the one leg stop...so many people are afraid of dumping a 1000lb bike especially 2 up. Im 5'5 on a ultra..
Theres nothing wrong with putting both legs down as long as your nearly at a standstill when you do it, sometimes when putting one leg down you can monetary catch it on something and is milliseconds your down, with both feet down and placed securely on the ground i feel much more in control and safer.
As long as you aren't walking the bike as you slow down.
Agreed - I'm 78 and feel more stability using both legs, and I don't care how I look to other people.
Spoken like a true biker. Or, motocyclista.....😂
Unless catch both feet and whiskey throttle then you can’t stop, your gonna go straight into a car in front of you or lay your bike rushing to stop it
Good call 👍.
Just got new streetglide , first big heavy weight bike, been struggling pulling up with balance , makes sense what you tell, gonna try it, thanks
Educational riding videos offer so much help and assistance!
Great tips!
Thank you so much, dropped my school bike today because I used the front brake to stop in a curve because I panicked.
💯💯💯 THANK YOU
One or two feet down is situational.
Nice and straight forward 😊
I agree with you Doc.
I have been riding (dirt and street) since 13 i'm now 70 and I stop like that due too hip and knee injury, just don't have the stability for one leg landing and will continue riding two wheels for as long as I can until my body says I have to ride three wheels, until then I suggest if you don't like how I stop don't look.
I have a foot clutch...My left foot is not going down...But, you adjust, (just pointing out, there is no "one rule, fits all"
Thank you.
Best ever!!
MASTER !!!!
Some states you have to have both feet down at stop sign and to sit at stop and with just left foot down if for some reason you get a little off balance bike starts leaning to right you might not have time to put right foot down that 800 pound bike going to tip fast once it gets off balance so to come to complete stop both feet down
Idk where you heard this but there’s no law that both feet have to come off from the floor boards when you stop
Passenger may lean a bit to the left or right, one foot down at the light doesn't work for me. What says you?
Thanks Boss
That was funny.
He's probably a cool grampa
Harley Duckwalkson... A lot HD owners do this. I wrote "owners", not riders or bikers.
im chief of the gooney bird tribe, we would like to register a complaint we consider our style an art form, especially the double ducky shuffle
I use my right foot down, no need for rear brake if you downshift properly, the gearing is slowing you down and providing rear drag. This way you don't have to put your left down and back up to shift into gear or into neutral because my left foot is still up there.. Some lights are so long and the Harley clutch isn't so easy to hold for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes and I just plain don't want to. I see these guy at lights coast all the way to the line then start downshifting while they're stopped then have to bring their foot back up, by then 10 seconds have gone by and everyone is waiting behind them. This technique hasn't failed me in 55 years of riding. Too each their own I guess.
Left foot down!
This only applies to one thousand pound couches with wheels. Ride a real motorcycle and stopping is seamless. Or if you live in California, you just coast through the stop sign 😮
You mounted your motorcycle from the wrong side. That's a no-no Doc. Always mount your bike from the kick stand side. This is one of the first lessons we teach novice riders on safety courses.
I noticed that too. I also seen the bike dip when he stopped like he was using the front break.
Shouldnt you be mounting your bagger on kickstand side?
Cops mount on the high side to keep safely away from passing traffic.
I don't think I've ever seen anyone stop like your saying they do, You mount the bike unlike any motor officer I've seen, are you legitimate 🤔
I always do one foot exactly like you do. Just to risky not having full control of your bike when you might have to move instantly. Milliseconds matter.
ALL RIDERS DONT DO THIS🤝 If there is ANY debris under you when you stop with “one foot” your foot is sliding out and you’re goin down. Stop with two and plant your feet!
If your foot slips it is sliding outwards your bike will fall in that direction. So unless your opposite foot is bolted to the ground it is not holding you or your bike up
Watch the 3:43 point of this video where he's trying to find the left floorboard while moving forward. Dude, you SHOULD NOT be pretending to be a skilled rider. 😅😂😅😂
There is no one "right" way to ride a machine. Those who can do, do, and those who can't, teach.
A rider with size 14 boots has completely different balance mechanics than a rider with size 8 boots. Your execution here is laughable.
Brake modulation is a thing. Front brake only when coming to a stop. The rear brake should rarely be used. The same applies for mountain biking btw. I am so thankful I was taught by proper old school riders. Just like a car most of the braking is done with the front. The only time ya need rear brake is for wheelie control. Feel free to comment all you want, no cares given. I've taught novice riders and they went to DMV and passed the test no problem. Never changing my ways. 😎
d ock you don't even know which side of the horse to mount on
LE are trained to mount from the right side/non traffic side. Looks bad, but safest way.
13
Sheesh,so what are you going to do give them a ticket? Mind your business if they aren’t breaking any laws. People who ride ride for them not you. Some have medical and or physical issues and they might have to stop that way. Ride for you not them,stay in your lane.
Pretty sure he's just giving valuable information so people will not incur medical problems from falling to the ground.
Why do you need to be insulting and name calling? Just give instructions if you’re putting out videos
Landing gear for life baby! You remind me of my dad.
The last second of stopping your feet should be off the pegs and your front brake stops you, you are totally wrong here. This is some very bad advice